Curtain-stretcher.



Y PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907. I F. e. HOFFHEINS a; F. s. STANFIELD.

CURTAIN STRETGHER.

APPLIGATION PILED.DBG.13, 1905.

2SHEETB-SHEET 1.

. PAT-ENTEDJUNE 25. 1907, F. e. HOFFHEINS & P. s. STA-NPIBLD.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CURTAIN STRETGHBR. A urmc nrox rum) DEG.13, 19o5.

villi/inkin sectional View FRANK G. HOFFHEINS, OF YORK,

PENNSYLVANIA, AND FRANK S.

STANFIELD, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CURTAIN-STRETCHER.

Patented June 25, 1907.

No. 857,623. Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 13,1905. Serial No. 291,643. To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that we, FRANK G. HoFF- j HEINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at York, in the county of York and State of j Pennsylvania, and FRANK S. STANFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ourtain-Stretchers, of. which the following is a specification.

i .The object of this invention is to facilitate the adjustment of a curtain stretcher to accommodate curtains of various sizes by mak- I ing the side and end bars adjustable simul- 1 taneously in one operation and preserving the rectangular shape of the frame.

Another object of the invention is to enable the frame to be extended proportionately at its sides and ends after the curtain is attached to stretch the curtain. And a further object of the invention is to arrange the pins to which the curtain is attached so that the entire curtain when stretched will lie in a single plane.

I11 the accompanying drawings illustrating i one embodiment of the invention Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame set up. We have not attempted in this figure to show all of the pins which would ordinarily be provided for a frame, because it is believed that a few pins will be sufficient for illustration and avoid confusion of parts. Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views on the lines 22 and 33 respectively, of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views on the lines 44 and 55 respectively of Fig; 1. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the pin. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the guide G. Fig. 9 is a on the line 99 of Fig. 1. Figs. 10 and 11 are sectional views on the lines 1010 and 111 1' of Fig. 1 respectively. Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line 1212 of Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings the frame com- I prises, as usual, two side bars A, A and two end bars B, B, these bars being arranged to form a rectangular frame within which the curtain is stretched. The side bars are preferably rabbeted, as shown, to protect the pins. A guide O is fastened on one end of i each end bar and is shaped to receive and guide the side bar A (Fig. 4.). A double guide D is provided with a loop (I to slide on the end bar B and is also shaped like the guide O to receive and guide the side bar A (Fig. 5). When the frame is provided with pivoted legs E to support the frame like an easel the guide O should preferably be located the upper end of the end bars, as shown in 1g. 1.

An adjusting bar F extends longitudinally of the frame and has one end secured tolljthe end bar B and in a clamp f between the flanges f thereon by a bolt f (Fig. 3). A guide G, shaped to receive and guide the adjusting bar, is fastened on the back of the end bar B and a thumb screw 9 or an equivalent locking device is provided on this guide to engage and lock the adjusting bar in position, (Fi .8).

A link II is pivotally connected to the outer end of the adjusting bar F and the adjacent end of the movable side bar A and links I, I are pivotally connected to the ends of the movable side bar A and to the end bars midway between their ends.

We prefer to make the side bars and the adjusting bar in sections so that they can be folded upon themselves, when the stretcher is taken down, to the length of the end bars. The meeting ends of the two sections of each of the side bars are connected by a hinge J and this hinge comprises (Figs. 10-12) the top 3' arranged to cover the meeting'ends of the sections, and the sides 7" which are bent to lie against the edges of the bar. Pivot pins j passing through the sides y" of the hinge and the bar secure the hinge and sections of the bar together.

A center brace K is provided at its upper end with a pin 7c which pivots in an opening 7c formed partly in each end of the two sections of the upper side bar A and this brace is fastened to the upper and lower side bars by a keeper L (Figs. 10-11).

A is adjustable relative to the upper side bar on both of the end bars and the center brace which provides for an adjustment of the width of the frame and that both of the end bars are adjustable on the side bars It will be observed that the lower side bar Which provides for adjusting the length of the frame. The link connections between the movable side bar and the adjusting bar and end bars provides for a simultaneous adjustment of the end bars and the movable side bar to make the frame larger or smaller and at the same time preserves the rectangular shape of the frame and the relative proportions of length and width.

The pins are freely movable on rods attached to the side and end bars by screw eyes M or equivalent fastening means, the end rods N being made in telescopic sections and provided with sleeves n at their ends to receive the side rods 0. These side rods are made in two sections corresponding to the sections of the side bars and the inner end 0 of each side rod section is fastened to the corresponding end of its side bar section, so that the side rods will fold with the side bars. The pin P is made out of a single piece of wire (Fig. 6, 7) which is made in the general shape of a right angle with two convolutions p to receive the rod and has a tail piece p. The pin is preferably made of spring wire although this is not essential. Under the strain of the curtain the tail piece will be clamped up tightly against the bar and the convolutions of the pin Will be tightened on the rod to prevent the pin moving longitudinally on the rod while the curtain is stretched. Other kinds of pins may be used with our improved frame with satisfactory results.

To enable the adjustment of the frame for curtains of different widths and of the same length we provide the links I, I with a series of holes i for the pivot pins i, i. The end bars may also have a series of holes for the same purpose. The pivot pin i may be formed by bending up the end of the link H (Fig. 9). The pivot pin i is an ordinary bolt like the boltf (Fig. 3).

Our improved curtain stretcher frame is simple in construction, easily set up, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. It is capable of being adjusted easily and uickly to accommodate curtains of various sizes by simply moving the adjusting bar and this is of essential importance in laundries where stretcher frames are in constant use. After the curtain is attached to the pins the frame may be further extended by operating the adjusting bar to stretch the curtain evenly in all four directions. The frame is rigid in construction without interfering with the freedom of adjustment. The pin rods carry all of the pins, on the side bars and on the end bars, in the same plane so that the curtain will be stretched evenly and straight along its four edges. This is a fea ture of considerable importance as it enables the curtain to be stretched in a single plane and avoids the liability of tearing the corners of the curtain in attaching it to the pins on a frame in which the end bars and side bars lie upon each other in diflerent planes.

Our improved pins are freely movable on the rods so that they can be adjusted to fit scalloped curtains of any kind, and this free dom of movement is enhanced by reason of the fact that the metal pins are mounted on metal rods and the convolutions of the pin are made to fit the rods loosely. At the same time the strain of the curtain will lock the pin against movement, as has been pointed out heretofore.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 'l. A curtain stretcher frame comprising four bars, means for connecting said bars, rods supported on said bars, two of said rods being slidably adjustable on the other two rods and all lying in a single plane, pins carried by the rods to receive the curtain, and means for adjusting said frame both as to length and width in one operation for a larger or a smaller curtain.

2. A curtain stretcher frame comprising four bars, means for connecting and holding said bars to form a rectangular frame, rods supported on said bars, two of said rods being slidably adjustable on the other two rods and all lying in a single plane, pins carried by the rods to receive the curtain, and means for adjusting said frame in one operation both as to length and width for a larger or a smaller curtain and constantly maintaining its rectangular shape.

3. A curtain stretcher frame comprising four bars, means for connecting said bars, and a bar for adjusting said frame both as to length and width in one operation and in relative proportions for a larger or smaller curtain.

4. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars, two end bars connected with said side bars to move lengthwise thereof, one of said side bars being relatively fixed on the end bars and the other side bar being connected to said end bars to slide endwise thereof, rods supported on said bars, two of said rods being slidably adjustable on the other two rods and all lying in a single plane, and pins carried by the rods to receive the curtain.

5. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars, two end bars slidably connected to the side bars, rods supported on said bars, the rods on the end bars being slidably adjustable on the rods on the side bars and all lying in a single plane, pins carried by the rods to receive the curtain, and means for simultaneously adjusting said end bars and the rods thereon inwardly or outwardly on the side bars and the rods thereon.

6. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars, two end bars slidably connected to the side bars, rods supported on said bars, the rods on the end bars being extensible and slidably adjustable on the rods on the side bars and all lying in a single plane, pins carried by said rods to receive the curtain, and means for adjusting said frame both as to length and width in one operation to receive a larger or a smaller curtain.

7. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars one of which is movable relative to the other, two end bars movably connected to the side bars, and an adjusting bar connected to said movable side bar and the end bars for moving said bars simultaneously.

8. A curtain stretcher two side bars one of which is movable relative to the other, two end bars movably connected to the side bars, an adjusting bar con nected to both end bars, and pivot means connecting said movable side bar to the end bars and to the ends of the adjusting bar;

9. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars one of which is movable relative to the other, two end bars movably connected to the side bars, an adjusting bar fastened. to one end bar and slidably connected to the other end bar, links pivotally connecting the ends of the movable side bar to the end bars, and a link pivotally connecting the free end of the adjusting bar with the adjacent end of the movable side bar.

10. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars and two end bars, said end bars being connected to said side bars to move lengthwise thereof and one of said side bars being connected with said end bars to move lengthwise thereof, an adjusting bar fastened to one end bar and slidably connected to the other end bar, and means pivotally connecting the ends of the movable side bar to the end bars and to the ends of the adjusting bar.

11. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars one of which is movable rela tive to the other, two end bars movable,

lengthwise on the side bars, a guide fastened on one end of each end bar to receive the fixed side bar, a guide slidably mounted on each end bar, means on said slidable guides for slidably holding the'movable side bar, and means for adjusting said movable side bar and said end bars simultaneously.

12. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars one of which is movable relative to the other, two end bars movably connected to the side bars, an adjusting bar fastened to one end bar, a guide on the other end bar to slidably hold said adjusting bar, a link connecting the free end of the adjusting bar to the adjacent end of the movable side bar, a pair of links connecting the ends.

of the movable side bar to the end bars, and means for adjusting said pair of links.

frame comprising 13. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars and two end bars, means for connecting said bars, each of said side bars being made in two sections, a hinge connecting the adjacent ends of said sections, a keeper over the joint of each side bar, a center brace arranged in said keepers, one of said side bars being provided with an opening formed artly in the abutting edges of its sections,an a pin on said center brace fitting in said opening.

14. A curtain stretcher frame comprising four bars, means for connecting and holding said bars to form a rectangular frame, means for adjusting said frame both as to length and width in one operation for a larger or smaller curtain, rods fastened to the inner edges of said bars in a single plane, and pins slidably arranged on said rods.

15. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars and two end bars, rods on the side bars, telescopic rods on the end bars slidably connected to the rods on the side bars, and pins on said rods.

16. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars and two end bars, rods on the side bars, telesco ie rods on the end bars, sleeves on the ends of the latter rods to receive the rods on the side said rods.

17. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars and two end bars, one of said side bars being movable relative to the other bars, and pins on side bar and both of said end bars being mov-- able on the side bars, means for adjusting said movable side bar and end bars, rods on the side bars, telescopic rods on the end bars slidably connected to the rods on the side bars, and pins on said rods.

18. The combination of a curtain stretcher bar, a rod on said bar, and a pin movable on said rod, said pin having a curtain engaging portion extending upward above the rod and a tail piece extending rearward from the rod and substantially at a right angle to the curtain engaging portion to bear against the underside of sald bar, whereby the strain of the curtain on the curtain engaging portion will clamp the tail-piece against the bar.

19. The combination of a curtain stretcher bar, a rod supported on the inner edge of said bar, and a pm bent to encircle said rod and having a curtain engaging portion extending upward above the rod and a tail piece extending rearward from the rod and substantially at a right angle to the curtain engaging ortion to bear against the underside of said bar, whereby the strain of the curtain on the curtain engaging portion will clamp the tailpiece against the bar.

20. The combination of a curtain stretcher bar, a rod supported on the inner edge of said bar, and a pin movable on said rod, said pin being made of a single piece of wire and having two convolutions encircling the rod, said IIO convolutions being separated from each other, a tail piece to bear against the underside of said bar, and a curtain engaging portion constituted by one end of the pin extending upward between the convolutions.

21. A curtain stretcher frame comprising two side bars, one of which is movable relative to the other, two end bars slidably connected to said side bars, rods supported on said bars, two of said rods being extensible and slidably adjustable on the other two rods and all lying in a single plane, and means for simultaneously adjusting said movable side bar and the end bar and the rods carried thereby. I u FRANK G. HOFFHEINS. FRANK S. STANFIELD.

Witnesses to the signature of Frank S.

Stanfield WM. 0. BELT, M. A. KIDDIE. 

